Detailed analysis of broadband electrostatic noise in the dayside auroral zone

Abstract

The great number of bursts of broadband electrostatic noise (BEN) recorded during crossings of the dayside auroral zone by the Viking satellite enables their statistical study. The angular distribution of BEN with respect to the Earth's magnetic field is shown to be most likely isotropic, implying that it cannot consist of a unique linear plasma mode. Most of the bursts evidence a power law spectrum from the lower hybrid and ion plasma frequencies up to frequencies sometimes much higher than the electron plasma frequency, suggesting the presence of nonlinear effects. This is confirmed by their high intensity, and by the correlation between their amplitude and their frequency extension. BEN emissions are associated with ion conical distributions and with field‐aligned electron beams. Although most of the power is concentrated at very low frequencies and around the lower hybrid and ion plasma frequencies, electron acoustic and beam mode waves may contribute to the high‐frequency extension of BEN. The most intense BEN emissions are also correlated with sharp cold plasma density gradients and probably involve drift instabilities. Strong quasi‐static perpendicular electric fields, which induce high‐speed plasma flows, are also measured, so that the Doppler effect may contribute to the broadening of the BEN spectrum.